Hello, everybody! This week, I have an interview with Ruth Freeman, the author of One Good Thing About America​.

I am so happy to be living in Maine. I live in Portland and teach English language learners in an elementary school in South Portland. I work with students from every continent except Australia and Antarctica! Working with my amazing students was what inspired my new novel, One Good Thing About America (Holiday House, 2017).

When I’m not in Portland, I spend time on Great Cranberry Island, a small island off the coast of Maine.​And, yes, I am working on an idea for a new novel!

Very simply, my students! I teach English language learners at an elementary school in southern Maine. At one point, I realized we have students from every continent except Australia and Antarctica! Some are brand-new newcomers, others were born here but speak another language at home. Because it takes approximately 5 to 7 years to become fluent in both basic and academic English, we will usually work with the same students over several years, and thus get to know them really well.

Being a writer, and working with these amazing students, each with their own unique story, it was only a matter of time before I wanted to record some of their stories on paper. The two most important reasons for writing this novel were so that my students, and students like them, could see themselves...in a book! The second reason was so that all readers could get a glimpse of how difficult it is to be in a new country with new customs, new words, new everything!

Which part of the story was created first?

Because I had written picture books previously, I thought this new story was going to be a picture book, too. The first draft was a few letters from Anaïs, the protagonist, but only covered September to December. It was my editor at Holiday House who thought it should be a novel and asked for more and more pages. So, the story grew, new characters wandered in and, in the end, the story covered Anaïs’ whole first year in America.

What is the best way to promote a book? What strategies did you use to promote yours?

I’m still learning about promotion! And, of course, every book is different so the promotion will be different, too. Way before the book was published, I knew I needed to get my ducks in a row. I hired a photographer to take a new author’s photo and began the lengthy process (with the help of a professional) of redoing my website/blog (www.ruthfreemanbooks.com). I think the website and blog are crucial these days. My blog posts are linked to Amazon and Goodreads, so any new post automatically shows up in those two places. I also created a page on Facebook for Ruth Freeman Author where I post photos and announcements about events.

I also rely heavily on my publisher Holiday House’s amazing publicity and marketing team. They drew up a marketing plan, sent out advance copies and press releases, and hired an additional publicity company who organized a blog tour for me. With this new book, I’m learning about the online possibilities...like Reading Violet! I’ve done a lot of online articles which is great because I work full-time and can’t easily travel. My last bit of advice is to think of any school, college or professional organizations you might belong to. I recently got a national teachers’ magazine in the mail and pitched them an idea for an article about children’s books dealing with immigration. Within a day they had replied and I had begun to write it.

What other books do you have planned for the future?

Whenever I finish a book, I never know if I’ll get another idea or not. Lots of little ideas come and go, but every now and then, one sticks and won’t go away. I love it when this happens! I got an idea about a year ago for a new book. It’s been sticking in my head ever since. It’s in what I call the “jelly stage,” a lovely fluid stage where it grows and changes. I’ve been so busy with One Good Thing About America that I haven’t worked on it besides doing some research and writing notes. But this summer, it will be time to dive in and start putting it on paper.

Who supported and encouraged you through your path of publishing and writing?

There are all kinds of writers, and I happen to be one who doesn’t rely too much on friends or writers’ groups. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends! But they aren’t writers and aren’t used to critiquing a piece of writing. I’ve enjoyed the few writing groups I’ve belonged to, but don’t feel the need to be in one at the moment. I’ve gotten more out of conferences and workshops I’ve attended. The person I most rely on is myself...as a writer and a reader. And, I almost forgot my editor at Holiday House! Mary Cash is an invaluable, experienced professional who gives me the feedback I need to hear. As I wrote in the book’s acknowledgements, the story wouldn’t be what it is without her.

What advice would you give to readers who aspire to be published authors?

Go for it! Be determined! Haunt your local library, get to know the children’s librarian, join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), read children’s books! Figure out how and when you can write. Everyone has to find their own way to do it. Don’t assume someone else’s way will work for you. For example, I cannot wake up and write at 4 am! And when I had small children, I wrote nonfiction picture books because I could fit the research into odd bits of time.

Perhaps the most important thing is to write what you’re crazy about...not what you think readers or Hollywood will want. Write what you’re passionate about, but remember it’s a learning process. It is hard and will probably take a long time. Learn to get rejections and keep going. Somewhere along the way, you may find another creative path to take. Not everyone has to be a children’s writer! Or, you may get more and more determined to see a book in print. And that’s the way to get there.

What was the first book that made you cry?

The first time I can remember crying while reading a book was when I read my first long novel, The Scottish Chiefs, by Jane Porter. It was one of the wonderful Scribners Classics series, big black covered books that had belonged to my mother when she was young. I think the illustrations were by N.C. Wyeth. It was the story of Sir William Wallace, an early Scottish hero, who later showed up in the Braveheart movie. After many adventures and hard-fought battles against the British, Wallace is killed at the end. One of the saddest scenes my young self had ever encountered.

What made you want to become an author?

When I began to read, I couldn’t believe the adventures and worlds I was discovering between the covers of books. It was, and is, the closest thing to real magic I’ve ever found. I was so in love with stories that I wanted to make my own. Words are how ideas come out of me. I’m not a painter, or a dancer, or a musician. What I love to do is use words to bring a picture inside my head to life which will then be recreated inside the reader’s head.

The funny thing is that, growing up, I thought everyone wanted to write stories. Who wouldn’t want to do that? And, because I went to school with a lot of smart girls (all of whom I assumed wanted to write) I didn’t think I could compete with all of them. I was so surprised to find out everyone did not want to be a writer! So, now, here I am many years later. Writing is hard, but I love it. There is nothing more satisfying than working an idea onto a page and having it come out, sometimes magically, the way you want. It’s the best!

Everyone at Linden's high school is obsessed with Worthy. It's this new app that posts pictures of couples, and asks: Is the girl worthy of the guy?

Suddenly, relationships implode as the votes climb and the comments get real ugly real fast.​At first, Linden is focused on other things. Like cute Alex Rivera. Prom committee. Her writing. But soon she's intrigued by Worthy. Who's posting the pictures? Who's voting? And what will happen when the spotlight turns... on Linden?

Linden Wilson is a shy girl who worries that her writing isn't good enough. Her classmates are fascinated with Worthy, a new app that determines if couples are worthy of each other. She is ecstatic when her crush asks her out. However, as her relationship with Alex grows, Worthy's popularity increases and scrutinizes her best friend. Concerned about her friend, Linden makes a few poor choices. Her feelings of insecurity boil over when Alex refuses to go to prom with her. Linden has to learn how to accept herself and realize that she is enough without changing.

Worthy taught good lessons about accepting who you are. Linden learned that she shouldn't let others dictate what she wanted to be. Many teens need to learn how to be themselves. Some people commit suicide because they worry so much about what others think. Not only did it teach how to be grateful for who you are, it taught about not judging others before getting to know them. I liked the portrayal that everyone has a mean side. Linden's classmates wouldn't vote on Worthy if people knew who they were and who they voted for. The app and the setting supported the messages it wanted to send.

The romance between Alex and Linden was sweet, but abrupt. He supported her when she was being deemed worthy or not worthy of him. I was surprised how quickly their relationship progressed and how early it was introduced. It lacked the depth that made me want to ship them. I assumed this was part of the plot: another boy would save the day and a new relationship would start. I was disappointed when this didn't happen.

I lost interest in this book as I read on. I couldn't connect with the characters. They obsessed about impressing others. I feel that the author worked so hard on making them relatable that they turned out shallow. Linden acted impulsively and I felt the author was just trying to make me feel bad for her. The characters are in high school, but their behavior reminded me of middle schoolers. I wish the author had showed me how Linden overcame her doubt and came up with a story that meant something to her.

Worthy ​teaches meaningful lessons about accepting yourself. The topics such as bullying and popularity will appeal to many readers. It is clear the author wanted to hit me with multiple lessons, but the characters were forced on me. I would recommend this for the important messages it taught, but it was not my favorite.

Donna Cooner was born and raised in Texas. She is a three time graduate of Texas A&M University. A former teacher and school administrator, she now teaches teachers and principals at Colorado State University where she is the director of the School of Teacher Education and Principal Preparation. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her two labs and a cat named Stu. She's a big fan of chocolate and laughing (not necessarily in that order).

Donna is the author of over twenty picture books and was a founding member of the Brazos Valley Society of Children's Bookwriters and Illustrators. She has also written children's television shows for PBS and textbooks for future teachers. SKINNY is her debut novel for young adults.

Rachel Brooks is excited for the new school year. She's finally earned a place as a forward on her soccer team. Her best friends make everything fun. And she really likes Tate, and she's pretty sure he likes her back. After one last appointment with her scoliosis doctor, this will be her best year yet.

Then the doctor delivers some terrible news: The sideways curve in Rachel's spine has gotten worse, and she needs to wear a back brace twenty-three hours a day. The brace wraps her in hard plastic from shoulder blades to hips. It changes how her clothes fit, how she kicks a ball, and how everyone sees her--even her friends and Tate. But as Rachel confronts all the challenges the brace presents, the biggest change of all may lie in how she sees herself.​Written by a debut author who wore a brace of her own, Braced is the inspiring, heartfelt story of a girl learning to manage the many curves life throws her way.

Rachel Brooks is ecstatic with how seventh grade is progressing. Her coach is recognizing her soccer talent and she's hopeful that her crush, Tate, likes her back. However, her excitement is short-lived when she finds out she has to wear a back brace for twenty-three hours a day because of the growing curve in her spine. Rachel's life turns upside down because of her back brace. Her coach limits her time on the soccer field. Rachel tries to conceal her back brace from her classmates, but they eventually find out and treat her differently because of it. Rachel has to overcome how she sees her brace and herself.

​Rachel was a relatable character. She faced and handled different things in ways people will connect to. Sports, love life, and acceptance from her peers are just a few of her concerns. However,Rachel seemed very whiny in regards to her brace. She wasn't grateful for the opportunity she had to wear the brace and wouldn't have worn it if not for her mom's constant nagging. However, I understand why Rachel would be so upset. With so much pressure from her friends and parents, it makes sense that she would be frustrated with her back brace.I appreciated that the characters worked through their problems and tried to make the situation better. Rachel listened to her parents' concerns and grew to understood why they wanted her to wear her brace. She overcame her frustration and took responsibility for it.

There was a lot of great character growth in this book. Rachel learned that she can turn something miserable into a better experience, and all it requires is a change of attitude. Rachel slowly recognized that other people's opinions didn't have to matter to her, and that she could stand up for herself. Rachel's proactive attitude improved her situation. Her classmates, parents and doctors recognized that even with her limitations, she could still handle responsibility.

I was shocked by how badly Rachel's classmates treated her after she got the brace. I wish that she could've been treated better. When Rachel stood up for herself, her friends supported her and made sacrifices for her. Sadly, I wasn't interested in the interactions between Rachel and her friends. I feel that a lot of parts could be omitted because they didn't add up to what made Rachel a strong character. The first time I read Braced, I skipped through a couple of pages before I got invested into Rachel's world.

It seemed ludicrous that Rachel and her friends were in seventh grade and they were already going out. Crushes, I get, but dating? However, Tate and Rachel's romance was realistic. I don't think that their relationship supported the story very much, but readers will relate to it.

Rachel kept on practicing the sport she loved, even though she faced challenges with her back brace. Through practice, she got better because she was determined to succeed. It showed a commitment and dedication to something she cared about.

Braced is a touching story about scoliosis. It teaches how to accept yourself and how to make the most out of a bad situation. Although some parts bothered me a little, it will definitely be a hit with readers! It's an important book for libraries to have as there are so few MG books about scoliosis. The author went through the same experience as Rachel, and it is very meaningful to have first-hand knowledge about the topic.

Alyson Gerber wore a back brace for scoliosis from the age of eleven to thirteen, an experience that led directly to BRACED. She received her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School, and before that she taught elementary and middle school students in a supplementary education program. She lives with her husband in Brooklyn, New York.

Caleb McCleary. QB. Following in his brother’s “baller status” footsteps.

Tessa Dooley. Any position that needs filling. Her motto: “Be afraid.”

The summer before Caleb and Tessa enter high school, friendship has blossomed into a relationship…and their playful sports days are coming to an end. Caleb is getting ready to try out for the football team, and Tessa is training for cross-country.

But all their structured plans derail in the final flag game when they lose. Tessa doesn’t want to end her career as a loser. She really enjoys playing, and if she’s being honest, she likes it even more than running. So what if she decided to play football instead? What would happen between her and Caleb? Or between Tessa and her two best friends, who are counting on her to try out for cross-country with them? And will her parents be upset that she’s decided to take her hobby to the next level?

This summer, Caleb and Tessa figure out just what it means to be a boyfriend, girlfriend, teammate, best friend, and someone worth cheering for.

Tessa Dooley loves running with her friends Marina and Lexie, but also enjoys playing football with Caleb McCleary and other boys. She is hopeful that there could be something more between her and Caleb. When she loses her final football game with them, she is dejected, especially when a coach approaches Caleb and his friends to sign up for football camp. Tessa also wants to join football camp, but isn't sure how her friends and parents will react. Tessa's mother is using her to promote her mayoral campaign, and her friends are depending on her to try out for cross-country. Her relationship with Caleb complicates when she feels he doesn't want her to play football. Caleb is afraid how his friends will treat Tessa because she plays football, and how he will be treated by dating her. Tessa doesn't want to have to choose between two sports she loves and faces discrimination because she's a girl.

I was pulled in from the introduction. It started the story off with a light, happy mood. We see Tessa's passion and dedication for running. We meet her love interest, Caleb, and her secret that she likes football but doesn't want her friends to know.

The Football Girl provided a unique perspective into doing something different. Tessa knew that most girls didn't play football and she could be shunned: but she didn't let stop her! She felt her life was mapped out for her, and she wanted to do something she enjoyed without having to worry about being accepted. She was treated and seen differently because she played football. Caleb felt really conflicted about Tessa playing football. He was happy for her, but he couldn't explain to himself why he didn't want her to play. The author approached this heavy topic with passion and characters who cared.

The two different POVs helped me understand how both of the characters would feel about a girl playing football. Tessa felt that if she could play, she could play! She is offended when Caleb hints that she shouldn't do it. Caleb is confused because he grew up with boys playing football, and it messed up the logical order of things to him. He was influenced by his friends, who agree and disagree about it. Readers will be intrigued about getting into both a girl and a boy's head in this situation.

I appreciated that the romantic relationship didn't take over the plot. Tessa and Caleb's romantic relationship strengthened the story, and it wasn't gushy. They supported each other, even if they had conflicting feelings about something. They both made mistakes in their relationship, but they cared enough about each other to make it up in a credible way.

Both Caleb and Tessa's parents had issues. Caleb's parents pressured his brother to join the family business. Tessa's mom was very self-absorbed. Tessa and Caleb didn't want to hurt their parents. They cared about them, but didn't feel like they were an important part of their parents' lives.The family issues didn't take over the plot, but supported it. I liked how they were handled realistically, and ended with hope that they could make their relationship work.

There is plenty of action and lots of football. It was very refreshing to read a sports book with a female protagonist. Both boys and girls will enjoy reading The Football Girl. Even though Tessa was a girl, on the field, she was just a player. I am glad how Tessa's success in football was portrayed realistically. It was great to see than even she could mess up, especially when the author wanted to prove that girls could play football.

The Football Girl will appeal to both boys and girls alike! It is a sweet yet subtle book. With only two hundred pages, and to the point, it is a great summer read!

Thatcher Heldring grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where he taught himself to write and play sports - though not at the same time. He has had several jobs in publishing. He has also worked as a grocery bagger, a ditchdigger, a small forward, a goalie, a scorekeeper, a coach, a rabid fan, a benchwarmer, and a shortstop. This is his fourth novel. He lives with his wife and son in Seattle, a good place for indoor sports. Visit him online at ThatcherTheAuthor.com.

Welcome, readers! Today I have a guest review of I Am Malala​ by Sue Kooky over at Kitty Cat at the Library. Here she is!

Hi! My name is Sue Kooky from Kitty Cat at the Library. Violet was nice enough to let me do a guest review on her blog. Yay! Today I'm reviewing I Am Malala.​

Title: I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition)Author: Malala Yousafzai & Patricia McCormickPublisher: Little, Brown and CompanyPublication Date: 2014Page Count: 224 (Hardcover)Age Recommendation: 10​"I am Malala. This is my story." Malala Yousafzai was only ten years old when the Taliban took control of her region. They said music was a crime. They said women weren't allowed to go to the market. They said girls couldn't go to school.Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. So she fought for her right to be educated. And on October 9, 2012, she nearly lost her life for the cause: She was shot point-blank while riding the bus on her way home from school.No one expected her to survive.Now she is an international symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest- ever Nobel Peace Prize nominee. In this Young Readers Edition of her bestselling memoir, which includes excessive photos and material, we hear firsthand the remarkable story of a girl who knew from a young age that she wanted to change the world-and did.Malala's powerful story will open your eyes to another world and will make you believe in hope, truth, miracles, and the possibility that one person- one young person- can inspire change in her community and beyond. ~ Goodreads

Oh my gosh. I am absolutely blown away by this book. I knew that is was going to be amazing due to who it was about. But honestly, to get so hooked and eager to finish this book, sort of surprised me. Malala is such an inspirational person and this is an AMAZING book to help people understand what has/is going on in the world. I knew a little about the Taliban and the struggles of young girls trying to get an education beforehand, but she describes it so clearly that even if I had no previous knowledge of the situation, I knew what was going on. This is such a powerful novel and it will move and empower so many people, specifically girls, that I would recommend it to everyone! She starts off at the beginning of her childhood and shows what life is like in Pakistan very nicely. I love her descriptions of her home and daily life..She also addresses the children's rights issue very very nicely (dur). Like, she just wants to go to school? And so then she gets shot in the head. Yup. We live in a messed up world. She's been through so much pain and yet she somehow still manages to be optimistic? And so so so brave. I know if I had gone through even half of what she had I probably would've had a mental breakdown.I also love how she talks about all these awards being named after her. Like, she was honored that she got that...well...honor, but she was also really worried about not actually being worth it? That's a very human fear and she makes it come across really well.My only complaint is that the writing felt a bit clunky and the sentences were formed a little weirdly sometimes.

FABULOUS QUOTES!

What a strange world it was when a girl who wanted to go to school had to defy militants with machine guns - as well as her own family....Girls like us might be reprimanded. A grown woman could be beaten. Or killed. "This secret school," she said, "is our silent protest."...The school was my world, and my world was the school.

This is a list of all of the books I can't wait for in May! I could only name three off the top of my head, but as I looked through my TBR list I found so many fun books! Can't wait to read them all. Some are MG, some YA.

I love the cover. I think it's simple but very elegant. I enjoyed Lauren Wolk's first book, Wolf Hollow and I'm excited to see what she pulls off next. This book sounds like it has a lot of adventure and self-discovery. I want to see how the character grows through the story and how the author conveys the meaning of family.

It's basically the neverending story of Percy Jackson! I love Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus. Although The Hidden Oracle wasn't my favorite, I can't wait to read some more haiku. I love the cover. I bet there will be character growth, from spoiled god to determined hero.

Code Name Verity is my favorite YA historical fiction book. When I found out about this one, I was ecstatic! I'm preparing myself for the worst, because I doubt anything can live up to Code Name Verity. I also didn't enjoy the rest of the series. Learning more about Julie will help me relate to her character and help me understand her actions. I love how the covers of Code Name Verity and The Pearl Thief are very similar.

I've heard lots of good things about Posted. I love the idea behind it (a sticky-note war? Count me in!) and I love the cover. The contrast between the locker and the sticky notes appealed to me a lot. I look forward to finding out how the author portrays middle school, and how he shows the power of words.

I'm looking for a light read that's cheesy to read during the summer. It's going to be a quick read, and I expect to cringe a lot. Or put the book face down and ask myself, How am I ever going to read that gushy part?

I love National Geographic so much! I learn so much about the world, new technologies and cultures. There are so many gorgeous photos. It's so fun to read through and see different changes as the years go on.

I was amazed when I realized Pablo Cartaya was the author of Tina Cocolina: Queen of Cupcakes, one of my childhood favorites. I'm interested in finding out what the protagonist does to save his community and why he has to. The first part of the summary caught my eye. Save the restaurant. Save the town. Get the girl. Make Abuela proud. Can thirteen-year-old Arturo Zamora do it all or is he in for a BIG, EPIC FAIL?

There are so many books out in the world where the female protagonist obsesses about getting her crush. Not many books have male narrators who deal with the same problems. It'll be interesting to see middle school relationships from a different perspective.

I don't read much YA mysteries, but I look forward to this one. I'm expecting a heavy read that sucks me in. I'm interested to see how the author balances the different POVs without giving too much away. I hope it's compelling and keeps me guessing.

In the hidden dragon sanctuary of Wyrmroost, Celebrant the Just, King of the Dragons, plots his revenge. He has long seen the sanctuaries as prisons, and he wants nothing more than to overthrow his captors and return the world to the Age of Dragons, when he and his kind ruled and reigned without borders. The time has come to break free and reclaim his power.

No one person is capable of stopping Celebrant and his dragon horde. It will take the ancient order of Dragonwatch to gather again if there is any chance of saving the world from destruction. In ancient times, Dragonwatch was a group of wizards, enchantresses, dragon slayers, and others who originally confined the majority of dragons into sanctuaries. But nearly all of the original Dragonwatch members are gone, and so the wizard Agad reaches out to Grandpa Sorenson for help.

As Kendra and Seth confront this new danger, they must draw upon all their skills, talents, and knowledge as only they have the ability to function together as a powerful dragon tamer. Together they must battle against forces with superior supernatural powers and breathtaking magical abilities.​How will the epic dragon showdown end? Will dragons overthrow humans and change the world as we know it?

I think that the cover is amazing. At first, I was a little confused about it, and I couldn’t identify which scene it was from, but as I studied it I could understand it better. Compared to the other books in the series, I think that Dragonwatch’s cover lives up to its predecessors. It is very appealing and catches the eye. I doubt that readers will be intimidated by its length.

Dragonwatch is a spin-off series on the Fablehaven series, which is expected to be five books long. Reading the Fablehaven series is necessary before you start this book. It’s like reading The Heroes of Olympus without reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians first. The plot relies on the previous books and builds up on the world.

Dragonwatch is written so well. All of the new locations and experiences are described vividly. The world and its history benefit from the writing. As the world of Fablehaven grows in the series, it’s nice to return to a familiar place and develop it more. I wish that the characters could’ve spent more time at Fablehaven. Sometimes the words, although descriptive, felt clunky. Parts of the story sucked my energy because I didn’t enjoy reading it.

The plot was fairly straightforward, but very well thought-out. Spin-off stories start off with the idea that the previously solved conflict has led to other problems. The first hundred pages in Dragonwatch are slow to start and recap on what happened in Fablehaven. Not only does it help the reader recollect key points, it provides foreshadowing for later on in the book. Afterwards, we jump right into the action. Some parts in the book seemed really dull because I wasn’t interested in what was going on. However, I was captivated by the last fifty pages. The solution to the conflict seemed so simple, but also really fun. I wasn’t overwhelmed with too much information. I liked how the author gave us a decent amount of history, let the characters and the reader sit on it for a while, but slowly developed it as the story moved along. The adults presented this information to the protagonists, and this bothers me because it happens in every Fablehaven book.

Kendra and Seth were very relatable characters. I was concerned about them being different ages at first, but it will appeal to readers because they can connect with one or the other. Their attitudes reflected hopeful, determined people. Kendra is very serious and tries to see things from all viewpoints, while Seth takes a guess and rolls with it.

I enjoyed meeting new and old characters in the story. These characters have smaller roles, but provide humor and keep the situation from becoming too depressing. Yet they help the protagonists in a time of need.

Most of the hurdles, I feel, were solved in Fablehaven. Based on their achievements in the previous series, Kendra and Seth seem to have an easy pass for issues that would’ve created huge conflicts. It also provides them with valuable information and resources as the action advances in Dragonwatch. These passes have both benefits and consequences because it makes both friends and enemies for the characters.

My favorite part is when Kendra rode a horse “that appreciated Jane Austen”. Life is good when that happens.

I have mixed feelings about Dragonwatch. Full of dragons, mystical creatures and quests to find hidden objects, I know Dragonwatch will appeal to many readers who like action-filled books. Both girls and boys will enjoy it. I didn’t like some sections of the book, and there were some flaws. This book has a very serious mood, and it isn’t a light read. I would recommend reading the first book of Fablehaven and making your own decision whether to continue the series.

Dragonwatch reminded me of Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George because they both have determined characters with fun personalities. They also have carefully constructed plots with strong worlds that have powerful history behind them.

Brandon Mull has worked as a comedian, a filing clerk, a patio installer, a movie promoter, a copywriter, and briefly as a chicken stacker. For a couple of years, he lived in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile, where he learned Spanish and juggling. He currently lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his four children and dog named Buffy. Brandon is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series.

Did you guys see his website got a huge update? I don't know when it happened, because I haven't checked his website in like... a year. I prefer the new version because it's so interactive. For example, the VR trailer for Dragonwatch!

Thank you all for joining me today! On Monday, I will be posting a list of books I look forward to reading that come out in May. I have a guest review of I Am Malala by Sue Kooky at Kitty Cat at the Library on Wednesday.

Could books hidden through Book Scavenger be linked to an arsonist's web of destruction? Find out in Book 2 of Jennifer Bertman's Book Scavenger series.

Mr. Quisling is definitely up to something mysterious, and Emily and James are on high alert. First, there’s the coded note he drops at a book event. Then they uncover a trail of encrypted messages in Mark Twain-penned books hidden through Book Scavenger. What’s most suspicious is that each hidden book triggers a fire. As the sleuthing friends dig deeper, they discover Mr. Quisling has been hunting a legendary historical puzzle: the Unbreakable Code. This new mystery is irresistible, but Emily and James can’t ignore the signs that Mr. Quisling might be the arsonist. The clock is ticking as the fires multiply, and Emily and James race to crack the code of a lifetime.

Weird that I was able to pick this book up a few days before its publication date. I was excited to read it though! I think that the cover is pretty cool. I love how James and Emily are silhouetted. I think that with the drab land color, the brightness of the landmarks, ocean, and title pop out at you really well.

I love learning about new ciphers and codes. The Unbreakable Code immersed me in a whole new world of codes. Substitution ciphers are simple things the protagonists use quite often. I love how the author made difficult situations really fun. As the characters struggle to solve a code, someone suggests a cipher and we learn how to use it. The characters become intrigued and provide a few examples for the reader and other characters to understand. Often, these ciphers influence the Unbreakable Code.

There is a whole lot of action in here. Arson, following mysterious teachers around San Francisco, eavesdropping, "hacking" into online quests.. There is action on every turn. Everything the characters do is connected with the plot. Foreshadowing is an important element. A fun school dance can turn into a showdown between two teachers, or a celebration at a bookstore can turn into the beginning of a mystery. Sometimes it feels like the story is going too fast. I think that the setting in San Francisco contributed to the action.

The characters are so determined. I think that it's amazing how they stick with things. They do so much, it's hard to comprehend their emotions. In the book, Emily was worried about something, and less than a chapter later, it was solved. I didn't feel like I could connect with their characters. A good book's emotions reminds me of the heartbeat of a living person, up and down. The emotions in this book seemed dull and lifeless.

There is no character growth at all. The author pulls in some surprise family issues - the possibility of moving, lack of money, etc. Issues like these often lead to the protagonist making assumptions that could jeopardize the situation. All Emily does is worry about it. The characters do not undergo something that tests their faith and strength in each other. The relationship between Emily and James didn't teach me much. I feel that a relationship should teach me something, and sadly, the relationships in this book lacked the lessons I feel it needed.

I was bugged because in order to solve a puzzle, you had to use lemon juice/ultraviolet light. Even though it is highly probably I would've never solved it, I felt that readers should've been able to try and solve the cipher themselves.

A horrible cliché in mystery books is when the characters eavesdrop on some information. They aren't supposed to learn it, or it is just casually tossed in a conversation, and with a little digging, it is pivotal to the plot! It's frustrating because, voilà, the information they need is right there , and how convenient, it's in a conversation they were listening to! Unfortunately, this happened in The Unbreakable Code.

Book Scavenger seemed a little lost. In the previous book, Book Scavenger was a fun, interactive game and I learned a lot about how it worked! In The Unbreakable Code , it seems very flat. There is no amazing chase to find a book, or finding new hidden copies with a cipher. In this book, we found the same copy of the same book, and its' contents had little to do with the plot. I think that it's very innovative to create a website for it.

I don't think the chapters from the antagonist's POV added to the story. It provided the information of what the antagonist called himself, what he used for arson, and that he was doing this for revenge. I think that foreshadowing who the antagonist was could've been better.

I also think that the historical significance of the Gold Rush could've been better communicated.

The Unbreakable Code is a fun book filled with puzzles and ciphers. The next book will be very similar to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. Although it is filled with action, I feel that it could've contained some important life lessons. I enjoyed it, but after rereading it I noticed more and more flaws.

Another book readers might be interested in is The Spy's Handbook by Herbie Brennan. Although it focuses on spies, it teaches a lot of fun new codes and ciphers. Kim Aippersbach recommends books by Blue Balliett.

Author bio:

Jennifer Chambliss Bertman writes stories with a bit of mystery, a bit of humor, and a lot of fun. Her debut novel, Book Scavenger (Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt for Young Readers), was an Indie Next Kids’ Top Ten Pick, a Junior Library Guild selection, and one of five titles chosen for Publisher’s Weekly Best Summer Middle Grade Books for 2015, among other accolades. A sequel titled The Unbreakable Code will be published in 2016, followed by a stand-alone middle grade mystery in 2017. She has an MFA in creative writing and worked in publishing for over a decade before becoming a children’s book author.

I was at the bookstore, and my eyes were drawn to copies of Wonder by R. J. Palacio. A shiny sticker read, "Soon to be a major motion picture!" I'm so excited to watch it in November! Wonder is one of my favorite books.

Twelve-year-old Jaime makes the treacherous and life-changing journey from his home in Guatemala to live with his older brother in the United States in this gripping and realistic middle grade novel.

Jaime is sitting on his bed drawing when he hears a scream. Instantly, he knows: Miguel, his cousin and best friend, is dead.

Everyone in Jaime’s small town in Guatemala knows someone who has been killed by the Alphas, a powerful gang that’s known for violence and drug trafficking. Anyone who refuses to work for them is hurt or killed—like Miguel. With Miguel gone, Jaime fears that he is next. There’s only one choice: accompanied by his cousin Ángela, Jaime must flee his home to live with his older brother in New Mexico.

Inspired by true events, The Only Road is an individual story of a boy who feels that leaving his home and risking everything is his only chance for a better life. It is a story of fear and bravery, love and loss, strangers becoming family, and one boy’s treacherous and life-changing journey.

After seeing lots of other people recommend this book, I requested it from the library and finished it in a day. I think that the cover is amazing because of the contrast of colors and the reflection of the story. I also think that the title gives a great mood to the story. It implies that immigrating to the United States is the only option for people.

The Only Road portrays what it's like to travel from Central America to the United States and the difficulties immigrants face. America is seen as an opportunity for a better life. We are biased when we learn about immigration from Central America to the United States, and The Only Road helped me understand the differences we have, but also how we are all alike. The sacrifices people make and the risks they take to live in America opened my eyes to how blessed I am to live in a safe community. This book showed how many people do not make the trip to America: they die by the hands of the mafia and the police, they cannot pay for transportation, or are deported back to their home country. The hardships they endure are astounding. The immigrants have so many obstacles in their way; some are just children seeking to avoid problems at home. Yet they would risk their life to have more opportunities. It taught a great lesson about understanding others.

I learned a lot about different cultures in Central America and the conditions there. People aren't paid very much and they live in fear of being recruited to sell drugs. Anyone who turns down the Alphas, or other mafias, are killed, like Miguel. Learning about the brutal conditions immigrants live in helped me understand why the would want to move to America. The cover and the glossary also helped me understand the story. At the end of the book, there is a glossary of Spanish terms. The map of Mexico on the cover of The Only Road showed me the path Jaime took.

The characters are very resilient in the face of adversity. If I was in a similar situation, I would be paranoid. Even though they are alone and are faced with the possibility of dying, they press forward to protect their families and themselves. I liked the character of Jaime. Jaime was a curious, determined boy who took responsibility for his actions. He cared about his friends and helped them. He doesn't care what it takes to make something right. His life had been turned upside down when he was threatened by the Alphas, but he does his best to save his family trouble by persevering to the end.

There is a lot of action in The Only Road. The characters have to escape and hide from police officers, bargain with people to take them different places, and hop onto fast-moving trains where they could lose a limb. It's horrifying to me things like that occur daily to people. I enjoyed the action in the book because the characters pushed their way through the challenges and even though they were facing rough times, helped others as well.

The Only Road ​is a realistic, gripping story that teaches readers how to interpret and understand problems in the world differently. It taught a difficult topic in a well-written MG book that will be an inspiration to a lot of readers.

Alexandra Diaz is a Cuban-American spending her time between Bath, England, Santa Fe, NM, and the rest of the world. She has an MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and has led various workshops since she was fourteen. As a result of being homeschooled for most of high school, she’s fascinated by teenage school life and the drama that occurs in those quarters. One of the reasons she writes is to experience life in someone else’s shoes. She is a “jenny of all trades” having worked as a nanny, teacher, film extra, tour guide, and dairy goat judge (seriously) among several other jobs. In addition to traversing the world, she enjoys hiking, swing dancing, and performing circus arts.

Thank you, everybody, for joining me today! I hope Easter was enjoyable. I can't wait to read Jennifer A. Nielsen's next book, Resistance​, which comes out in fall 2018. This month, The Unbreakable Code by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is released, and I look forward to that, too! For more MMGMs, clickhere to go to Shannon Messenger's website.

Hi, guys! Wonderful weather lately after weeks of being pummeled with snow. I've been so huddled up I've forgotten how fun spring and summer are... Except now I'm seeing mosquitoes. And I'm pretty sure I deliberately crossed those out of my mind for a reason.​ Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry is what I will be reviewing today!

Astronomy-loving Calliope June has Tourette syndrome, so she sometimes makes faces or noises that she doesn't mean to make. When she and her mother move yet again, she tries to hide her TS. But it isn't long before the kids at her new school realize she's different. Only Calliope's neighbor, who is also the popular student body president, sees her as she truly is--an interesting person and a good friend. But is he brave enough to take their friendship public? As Calliope navigates school, she must also face her mother's new relationship and the fact that they might be moving--again--just as she starts to make friends and finally accept her differences. Ellie Terry's affecting debut will speak to a wide audience about being true to oneself.

I think that the cover of Forget Me Not is gorgeous. It shows a lot of things that are big elements in the story, but is simplistic. However, I am a little confused about the title. I understand flowers in the book, but forget-me-nots weren't mentioned. I get how it shows remembering and respecting others. I don't think it fits the best, though.

I think the most important part of Forget Me Not is Tourette syndrome. I think that it is amazing the author herself has TS, because it makes the book more meaningful and inspirational. It comes from a person who has experienced it herself and understands what could happen.

Calli was a fun relatable character. TS didn't make a difference on her except it caused to make faces or noises. She struggles because she moves every time her mom breaks up with a boyfriend. Her TS makes it difficult for her to fit in, and moving often doesn't help her a lot. She thought that TS would cause others to treat her differently, so she kept it a secret. People started noticing her tics and made fun of her. Calli has accepted her TS but she needs others to as well. She needs others to understand her. I love Calli's dedication and determination. She believes that she will be the first person on the moon if she keeps on trying.

Calli makes a friend of the student body president. He understands her differences and doesn't judge her for it. He is scared about everyone making fun of him with Calli so he doesn't talk to her outside of school. I was mentally screaming, "Get a move on, buddy! She's your friend!" It was really annoying, but the horrifying fact is it happens a lot. People are scared by how they will be viewed. I think it's great that he eventually realizes the power of friendship and staying true to one's self. This was a huge part of the story, because Calli endures a lot of things without a friend by her side. Calli faces social murder while her friend saves his skin, but by being nice everybody learns more. This book shows what we can do to help others.

Forget Me Not is jam-packed full of emotion. The narrators experience so many different things and their emotions vary. Calli is scared, determined, angry, giddy, and so much more. Her friend is embarrassed, hopeful, sad, happy... Through each page, I went through a roller-coaster ride. Middle school is definitely a challenge, and being a social outcast doesn't help. Especially when you feel rejected by a friend. I connected with the characters very well. Watching them face trials and trying to overcome them added to the drama.

I love how when Calli is the narrator, she writes in poetry. When her friend is the narrator, he writes in prose. I think it shows a big difference in how they think, but also how they can be friends even through their differences.

I learned some cool things about the moon. For example, the moon drifts farther away from Earth each year? One day, the moon will be gone. Mentioning this made the story seem a little more real. It showed the controllable and the uncontrollable, and how it affected the story was great.

Forget Me Not ​is a memorable story about understanding and accepting differences between people and getting the courage to do what's right.

Author bio:

Ellie Terry has been writing poems and stories since she was ten years old. Whether in a notebook while sitting high up in an aspen tree, on her father’s typewriter at the kitchen table, or in one of her many journals while taking bubble baths, she has always loved working with words. Her poetry has won several state awards and has appeared in various magazines for children. In 2014 she was a recipient of the Nikki Grimes Poetic Techniques Merit Scholarship. Her middle-grade debut novel FORGET ME NOT–a story in which a girl attempts to hide her Tourette syndrome while trying to convince her mother not to move them yet again, especially after making friends with the boy next door–was published March 14, 2017 by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Ellie grew up in small towns in South Dakota, Arizona, and Nevada and currently lives in southern Utah in a house the color of vanilla bean ice cream with her husband, three children, two zebra finches, and a Russian desert tortoise.

Thanks to everybody for joining me today! I love how so many books are coming out. This month, it's Dream Magic by Joshua Khan. I was so excited when I checked Kevin Sands's website and found out about his third book: The Assassin's Curse, that comes out in September. For more MMGMs, go to Shannon Messenger's website at the button below. I hope everybody is enjoying spring!